Undergraduate Students

Eight biomedical engineering students earn 2026 graduating student awards

Alexander James Servantez — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:39:02 +0000

Eight biomedical engineering students earn 2026 graduating student awards Alexander Jame… Wed, 04/29/2026 - 11:39

Alexander Servantez

Eight students from the Biomedical Engineering program (BME) have earned 10 graduating student awards from the College of Engineering and Applied Science in 2026.

These awards honor seniors who are nominated by faculty, staff or fellow students for their outstanding contributions.

Each of the eight award winners will be recognized and celebrated at the program's Graduation Recognition Ceremony on Saturday, May 2.

Read below to learn more about these students and their amazing achievements.

Cody Campos

Campos is receiving the Academic Engagement Award for his dedication to academic success, not just for himself but for others, as well. He served as a team leader during his senior design capstone project. He has also seized several opportunities to attain a holistic, interdisciplinary experience at 91��ý, such as a fellowship at the Benson Center for the Study of Western Civilization, a study abroad experience in Ecuador and a host of extracurricular experiences in healthcare.

For others, Campos was a great course and teaching assistant for multiple courses, hosting events regularly to help students improve and deepen their knowledge. His nominator says that Campos is “someone that his peers go to for help,” and despite being extremely busy, he always makes every effort to help them to the best of his ability.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

I plan to work on my medical school application while gaining ICU experience and building my skills by caring for patients in a demanding environment. At the same time, I want to keep volunteering because staying connected to my community and giving back is very important to me.

These goals build on the lessons I learned at 91��ý, where I learned to address complex problems with both technical skill and empathy. Furthermore, my experience in biomedical engineering and as a teaching assistant strengthened my critical thinking, communication, and teaching abilities. 91��ý also taught me to balance technical work with compassion, a value I will carry into my medical career.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

Take ownership of your path early and don’t be afraid to adjust it as you learn more about yourself. The most meaningful experiences I had came from stepping outside of what was required, whether that was getting involved in clinical work, teaching or volunteering. Those moments are where you actually figure out what matters to you.

Madison Seckman

Seckman is receiving three awards this spring, including the Community Impact Award, Global Engagement Award and Research Award.

Her community contributions come from an interesting and unique place. During her time at 91��ý, Seckman created a cooking course called Balancing Builders, designed around mental health themes. The sustainable program helped facilitate difficult conversations regarding mental health and transition periods.

She also served a four-year commitment with Engineers Without Borders Ecuador, where she helped lead the design of essential infrastructure, such as taps and meters, for a community in need. Her nominator says she has demonstrated a clear ability to deliver technical engineering practices while respecting and collaborating with indigenous knowledge systems.

Seckman has exhibited outstanding research ability, as well. She spent nearly a year working in the Pellegrino Lab, led by Research Professor John Pellegrino, where she focused on the development of semipermeable graphene-based membrane electrodes. Her work was highly innovative, aiming to create a device capable of powering medical implants like pacemakers and prosthetics using only blood flow.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

Starting this fall, I am transitioning from an internship to a full-time position with Medtronic as a CAS Clinical Specialist providing technical support for physicians in hospitals. I am also moving to Durham, North Carolina where I will be a part-time graduate student at Duke University earning a master's in mechanical engineering.

91��ý helped me make connections at Medtronic through the Biomedical Engineering Society, and provided rigorous coursework that helped me get into grad school at Duke.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

Don't be afraid to have fun! Focus on your grades when you need to, but stay ahead so you can be spontaneous. Try a new sport or learn a new skill!

Vivian Shi

Shi, a Community Impact Award recipient, is well-known for being a dedicated student leader in the Biomedical Engineering Program (BME) during her time at 91��ý. She was an active member in the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), even being named co-chair of the Career Symposium Committee in 2024. The activities Shi helped organize while in this role helped promote community and engagement.

Her nominator says Shi also worked tirelessly to create a welcoming, safe environment for others. Whether it was as a mentor for the BMES Peer Mentorship Program or a guest speaker at Engineering Launch, Shi has done everything in her power to help set her peers up for future success.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

I'm doing a master's degree in biomedical engineering, as well as hoping to work in industry during that year. 91��ý helped me prepare by giving me the tools and support I needed to thrive in these years. I sincerely appreciate the support staff and faculty in the BME department!

Hamza Ahmed

Ahmed has earned a Research Award for his work in the Borden Lab, led by Professor Mark Borden. Since joining the lab, Ahmed has helped lead the lab through an NSF I-Corps research-to-market customer discovery interview initiative, where he was tasked with reaching out to leaders in radiation detection and safety to interview them about the state of the field and shortcomings of the current solutions.

His contributions were pivotal to the project, and gleaned key insights that have guided the group’s research thus far. Ahmed was even able to disseminate his knowledge of bubble chamber dosimeters and results of customer discovery interviews to the 91��ý community during the end-of-summer SPUR showcase. Positive results of this work will be included in a future scientific publication.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

Next for me is pursuing opportunities in either engineering design and development or STEM education, depending on where I can make the most impact.

My time at 91��ý and the College of Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) prepared me for both paths by giving me a strong technical foundation along with hands-on experience in CAD, prototyping and system design. At the same time, I developed the ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and work with diverse groups, which is just as important in education as it is in engineering.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

Take advantage of every opportunity to build and apply what you’re learning early on. Classes give you the foundation, but projects, internships and hands-on work are where everything really clicks. The biggest growth comes from getting involved, asking questions and pushing beyond your comfort zone.

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes or take risks—that’s where real learning happens. Some of your best experiences will come from trying things you’re not fully prepared for yet. Also, make an effort to meet people who are driven and want to make an impact. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people who care about building, creating and changing the world will push you to grow in ways you can’t do alone.

Alisha Kumari

Kumari, a Research Award honoree, has contributed significantly to the development of a high-resolution microstenciling fabrication technique that enabled precise metallic patching on arbitrarily shaped active particles. The work stems from the Shields Lab, led by Assistant Professor Wyatt Shields, and was recently published in the prestigious Nature Communications journal.

Kumari’s research carries clear near- and longer-term impacts for both basic active-matter science and practical applications in microrobotics and targeted microscale technologies. For her career trajectory, these accomplishments demonstrate technical depth, experimental independence and the ability to translate basic-method advances into broadly useful platforms—qualities that position her to drive further innovation in active materials and microsystems engineering.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

I am hoping to pursue a career contributing to the healthcare field through the development of medical devices. CEAS and 91��ý have prepared me for this path through industry-relevant coursework and research opportunities. My experience as a research assistant in Dr. Shields’ lab has allowed me to develop applicable technical skills and grow as both a student and researcher.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

One of the most valuable things you can do is stick with the difficult classes, even when they feel overwhelming. Those foundations are what make the later, hands-on projects so rewarding.

Vivian Nguyen

Nguyen’s work in the Shields Lab has contributed to the advancement of three separate projects, earning her a Research Award this spring. She has generated high-quality microscopy images and videos that were critical to the group’s Monte Carlo microbot research, she operated several microscope platforms, developed robust imaging protocols and curated sets used for analysis and visualization.

She is also a co-author of two forthcoming papers on the programmable magnetic microparticles and the chemically functionalized biosensing platform. Her nominator says she is exceptionally technically versatile, reliable and meticulous. She combines hands-on fabrication and assay expertise with strong imaging and data management skills, an uncommon and valuable combination in the world of research.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

After graduating from 91��ý with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and a minor in electrical engineering, I plan on pursuing a career in medical device design and surgical implants. I am especially interested in applying all of the technical and interpersonal expertise I have gained during my time at 91��ý to solve real clinical problems.

91��ý and CEAS have provided me with the theoretical background and practical experience that lay the foundation for my future. Through my coursework and research experience, I have had the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to projects that have the potential for real human impact in the medical field.

Projects classes such as senior capstone and bioinstrumentation have pushed me to take a concept through ideation, design, testing and iteration. That experience, including working in teams and communicating technical ideas effectively, has made me feel confident stepping into a professional engineering role.

Meredith Overton

Overton is receiving a Research Award for contributions in the Tan Research Group, led by Associate Professor Wei Tan. Since joining the team in 2024, Overton has progressed from learning foundational lab skills to independently performing complex experimental tasks, including scaffold fabrication, sample preparation and quantitative analysis.

Her nominator says her greatest strength is her high-quality and reliable work. However, her potential extends beyond that. Overton’s nominator says she shows “exceptional promise” for future impact in science and engineering.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

Currently, I plan to continue at 91��ý to earn my master's degree through the Bachelor’s-Accelerated Master’s Program (BAM). I will also simultaneously be continuing my search for potential job prospects at medical device companies.

CEAS has helped me best prepare for this path by providing me the opportunities needed to explore my interests in medical technology, such as having access to work in a cardiovascular tissue engineering position as an undergraduate.

Alena Tucker

Tucker has earned a Research Award for her efforts in the FLOWLab, led by Assistant Professor Debanjan Mukherjee. Since joining in 2023, Tucker has carved out a niche expertise in developing sophisticated benchtop models that replicate physiological flow and transport scenarios, with a particular focus on the human cerebrovascular system.

Tucker’s nominator says her body of work is extremely impressive and goes far beyond the boundaries of a traditional undergraduate researcher. For instance, her designs enabled the creation of one of the very first experimental models for collateral circulation in the human brain—work that is now the subject of a journal article on which she is a co-author.

What's next for you and how did CU Engineering help you prepare for the future?

After graduation, I'll be working full-time as a Project Engineer at Prime Path Medtech. 91��ý and CEAS provided a community and course-load that helped me grow as a person and develop invaluable engineering tools that I aim to utilize as I move into the medical device industry.

Now that you are graduating, what's your best advice for other students?

My advice for other students is to make the most of every single opportunity you can while you're here, whether it's social or academic events, extracurricular activities or anything else that might come your way.

Eight students from the Biomedical Engineering program (BME) have earned graduating student awards from the College of Engineering and Applied Science in 2026. These awards honor seniors who are nominated by faculty, staff or fellow students for their outstanding contributions to the college and campus community.

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BME senior project brings next-generation accessibility to live events

Alexander James Servantez — Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:25:36 +0000

BME senior project brings next-generation accessibility to live events Alexander Jame… Thu, 04/09/2026 - 08:25

Alexander Servantez

Music has a way of bringing people together in the same shared experience.

But for more than 11 million Americans who are deaf or hard of hearing, live concerts don’t always offer that same sense of inclusion.

A group of seniors in the Biomedical Engineering Program (BME) at 91��ý are working to change that by designing a set of closed caption glasses during their senior capstone design class.

A close look at the team's closed caption glasses in action during a live concert.

The project is sponsored by Shine Music, a nonprofit creating barrier-free live music experiences through accessibility, adaptive technology and universal design. It uses real-time audio transcription to display song lyrics directly through the lens of a pair of wearable glasses.

The team said the device will help bring a new level of accessibility to concerts, theater, lectures and beyond.

“Deaf or hard of hearing individuals often don’t have the ability to experience the joy of live music and events as others. They are typically placed in designated areas where their focus is on an ASL interpreter instead of experiencing the show,” said software engineer Alena Tucker. “Our goal is to provide another option that allows them to be more fully engaged in the live setting.”

To do this, the group developed a mobile app that uses Apple Speech to transcribe local audio signals. The app connects to the glasses via Bluetooth, sending a live stream of captions that appear right in the user’s field of vision.

According to the team, the system operates with less than a one-second delay and achieves over 90% accuracy, allowing users to receive fast, reliable captions almost instantaneously. For deaf or hard of hearing people, that level of speed and accuracy can make the difference between a seamless, enjoyable experience and one that feels delayed or disconnected—especially in smaller venues where accessibility options are limited.

“It’s very costly for smaller venues to hire an ASL interpreter,” said software engineer Meredith Overton. “A lot of times this prevents people from buying last-minute tickets because there might not be an interpreter on-site.”

But despite impressive speed and accuracy benchmarks, the group still faced challenges that made the project difficult to perfect.

One challenge involved the varying complexities of music. Genres like rap and rock, which feature fast-paced beats and rapid lyrics, proved difficult for the device to process quickly.

Another challenge was budgetary constraints. However, their team dynamics and willingness to learn new things helped them overcome these obstacles.

“Even with all of the stress, everyone knew we were going to work hard, laugh, have a good time and make the best out of it,” said production lead and electronics engineer Maeve Bihn. “This process has been about learning as we go. It’s taught us a lot about the overall diversity of biomedical engineering.”

With the highly anticipated Engineering Expo event right around the corner, the group is working diligently to finalize their design and data. They hope to have a functioning set of closed caption glasses available for visitors to try themselves.

Join us at Engineering Expo 2026!

Everything 91��ý engineering students learn culminates in capstone design projects, presented at the annual Engineering Projects Expo. Explore amazing new inventions and technologies created by our next-generation of engineers!

Who: K-12 students, prospective CU Engineers, and community members are all encouraged to attend.

When: Friday, April 17 from 2 to 5 p.m.

Where: Ford Practice Facility, 2150 Colorado Ave., Boulder, CO

Parking: Available in Lot 436 and the Regent Parking Garage for $5.

Music has a way of bringing people together in the same shared experience. But for more than 11 million Americans who are deaf or hard of hearing, live concerts don’t always offer that same sense of inclusion. A group of seniors in the Biomedical Engineering Program (BME) at 91��ý are working to change that by designing a set of closed caption glasses during their senior capstone design class.

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From left to right: Ben Finneseth, Alena Tucker, Maeve Binh, Meredith Overton, Maddie Venezia-Ford, Aryan Mulgaokar

BME seniors design residual limb warmer for winter para-athletes

Alexander James Servantez — Wed, 08 Apr 2026 15:48:23 +0000

BME seniors design residual limb warmer for winter para-athletes Alexander Jame… Wed, 04/08/2026 - 09:48

Alexander Servantez

On freezing mountain tracks and icy slopes around the world, elite para-athletes are constantly pushing their bodies to the limit.

But in subzero conditions, that pursuit comes with unique risks that aren’t always easy to detect.

A team of seniors in the Biomedical Engineering Program (BME) at 91��ý are working to change that by designing a residual limb warmer for winter para-athletes during their senior capstone design course. Inspired by the ruggedness of winter jackets and ski boots, the device will help prevent discomfort, injury and long-term complications in cold-exposed residual limbs.

A close look at the team's residual limb warmer design for winter para-athletes.

The project is sponsored by Project S.E.R.V.E., a nonprofit that partners student engineers with veterans and emergency responders to design solutions that improve their quality of life. The group says it focuses on the hidden dangers para-athletes face in extreme cold conditions, where reduced circulation and limited sensation can allow injuries to develop without warning.

“Amputated limbs often have less blood flow and less heat transfer, meaning they get cold more quickly,” said design engineer Nathan Day. “However, other factors can make the risk worse. Scar tissue buildup and a lack of nerve endings in the area could hinder the body’s natural ability to sense and respond to the cold.

“Essentially, severe tissue damage could occur without the para-athlete ever feeling it.”

To address these issues, the group created a multi-layered warming sleeve designed to enhance safety without sacrificing performance. The device uses durable wire heaters to deliver consistent heat while withstanding the impact of high-intensity crashes.

Inside the sleeve is a removable merino wool liner that sits closest to the prosthetic socket. The liner provides extra comfort and can be easily removed for cleaning after long days of use.

Beyond the inner layer, the team added a graphene reflective material that redirects heat from the wire heaters back toward the limb. Paired with lightweight synthetic insulation—similar to that used in high-performance winter gear—the system helps retain warmth even in wet or windy conditions.

And finally, the device features a rugged and weather-resistant outer shell that protects against debris and ensures continued functionality in the harsh, unpredictable environments where para-athletes compete.

“We’re not just protecting para-athletes from the cold,” said Day. “We want to empower them to conquer the mountains fearlessly.”

The team says the project was largely inspired by themselves. As Colorado natives, they were all able to draw upon some of their own experiences at mountain resorts to develop a valuable product.

An inside look of the residual limb warmer, showcasing the device's graphene reflective material.

But even with their own experiences on the slopes, the students quickly realized there was a critical perspective they lacked: what it truly feels like to be a para-athlete.

That’s why they teamed up with Doc Jacobs, 2026 US Para Bobsled National Champion, to provide the real-world para-athlete perspective they were missing.

“He has been an integral part of our design process this year,” said materials engineer David Debretsion. “We’ve given him our progress reports and asked him for feedback. He’s so inspiring and it’s really exciting to see how a device like this can make a real impact in his life.”

The group was able to work with a handful of other para-athletes and medical professionals, as well. According to the students, the partnerships helped open their eyes to what they call “the little things.”

“We had an idea for an LED color system to help para-athletes monitor their sleeve’s heat level, but with feedback from our sources, we realized we had to consider things like color blindness,” said product lead and design engineer Cassie Eisen. “Or even for our fastening system—we had to understand that para-athletes are wearing bulky gear that makes it difficult to use their hands.

“It’s definitely helped us take a step back and be more accessible for the greater para-athletic community.”

The team is excited to showcase their project at this year’s Engineering Expo event. They say visitors will get the chance to interact with their physical heating sleeve, see past prototypes and even explore the different layers that make up the device.

But their journey doesn’t end there. The group will also be competing in Project S.E.R.V.E.'s National Design Competition in April, where they will put their heating sleeve to the test against 11 other universities.

Still, their goal is to create a device that doesn’t just excel on paper—it puts the para-athlete first.

“Of course, we want to win the competition,” Day said. “But this is a device that will be used on a real person for real results. Even if we don’t completely align with the needs of the competition, we’ll be happy if we create the best possible product for para-athletes.”

Join us at Engineering Expo 2026!

Who: K-12 students, prospective CU Engineers, and community members are all encouraged to attend.

When: Friday, April 17 from 2 to 5 p.m.

Where: Ford Practice Facility, 2150 Colorado Ave., Boulder, CO

Parking: Available in Lot 436 and the Regent Parking Garage for $5.

On freezing mountain tracks and icy slopes around the world, elite para-athletes are constantly pushing their bodies to the limit. But in subzero conditions, that pursuit comes with unique risks that aren’t always easy to detect. A team of seniors in the Biomedical Engineering Program (BME) at 91��ý are working to change that by designing a residual limb warmer for winter para-athletes during their senior capstone design course.

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From left to right: Matteo Coscia, David Debretsion, Nathan Day, Anna Sallee, Cassie Eisen, Sara Wissner, Alyssa Radman

BME students design leg sleeve for Team USA para-athletes

Alexander James Servantez — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 18:19:43 +0000

BME students design leg sleeve for Team USA para-athletes Alexander Jame… Mon, 03/09/2026 - 12:19

A team of BME students created a leg sleeve device designed to help para-athletes on Team USA. They will be debuting the novel design at a national competition in April.

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Biomedical engineering students present research at BMES Annual Meeting

Alexander James Servantez — Wed, 19 Nov 2025 17:09:02 +0000

Biomedical engineering students present research at BMES Annual Meeting Alexander Jame… Wed, 11/19/2025 - 10:09

Alexander Servantez

Engineering student research on joint damage, arthritis, heart problems, and tissue defects were the subject of presentations at a major national conference.

Six students and researchers from the Biomedical Engineering Program (BME) presented their work at this year’s Biomedical Engineering Society 2025 Annual Meeting in San Diego.

The conference, one of the premier gatherings of biomedical engineers and allied fields, brought together over 5,500 attendees worldwide in early October to focus on health and wellness through engineering innovation.

During the five-day event, each student was given the opportunity to present a poster or talk highlighting the primary outcomes of their research. Read below to learn more about these students and their incredible contributions to science and engineering.

Faith Olulana

Faith is a graduate student in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at 91��ý. She is a member of the Neu Lab, led by Professor Corey Neu, and gave a talk at this year’s annual meeting titled “Granular Extracellular Matrix-Based Biomaterial for Engineering of Biological Tissues.”

Joint cartilage has a limited capacity for self-repair, thus there is a need to develop tissue engineering strategies capable of new tissue growth. Decellularized extracellular matrices (dECM) are a promising platform for tissue repair, as they retain biological cues that support cell invasion and integration.

However, dense cartilage ECM presents biophysical barriers that hinder cell infiltration. While hydrogels can provide higher porosity and migratory properties, they often fail to match the mechanical properties of dense connective tissues. Therefore, a key challenge is developing materials that provide both mechanical support and facilitate cellular migration, promoting tissue repair and function.

The Neu Lab addresses this challenge by developing granular extracellular matrix (gECM) biomaterials, comprising decellularized ECM microparticles densely packed within a hyaluronic acid (HA)-based hydrogel. The packing and architecture of gECM biomaterials balances mechanical integrity and porosity, facilitating structural support and cellular migration.

Faith’s research characterizes the mechanical and structural properties of gECM biomaterials using percolation theory. As tissue particle density increases, material properties shift from hydrogel-like to tissue-like. The percolation threshold is the point at which mechanics are dictated by tissue particles rather than the surrounding hydrogel.

Faith and her team aim to define where this threshold occurs in naturally derived gECM biomaterials and how particle size and shape influence this threshold. Understanding this transition shows how closely the biomaterial mimics native tissues, thus demonstrating the gECM’s ability to replicate characteristics of native tissues.

Izaiah Ramirez

Izaiah is a PhD student in the BME program and is also a member of the Neu Lab. He presented a poster titled “Increased Nuclear Reorganization Following Repetitive Stiffening in NIH-3T3 Fibroblasts.”

Fibroblasts in the heart regulate the tissue’s extracellular matrix by continuously sensing and transducing external mechanical forces. When mechanical signals become persistently imbalanced, such as after a heart attack, fibroblasts activate and quickly remodel the tissue environment in a process known as fibrosis.

Notable changes in fibroblasts occur within hours of an altered environment and persist for the cell’s lifespan. Although these changes are well characterized, the mechanisms at play prior to these visible changes remain poorly understood.

Izaiah’s research aims to understand how mechanical stresses can affect nuclear organization, before a fibroblast activates and loses its ability to recover. To study this, he and his lab group use customized, soft polymer materials to control the magnitude and time the cells are stimulated.

Using this system, Izaiah says his team can track how fibroblast nuclei reorganize after each cycle of stress. He believes this knowledge can one day help identify when certain diseases, like fibrosis, become irreversible and when treatments might be most effective.

Markkus Tong

Markkus is an undergraduate student in the BME program and a member of the Computer Vision/Imagine AI Lab, led by Associate Professor Tom Yeh. At this year’s BMES event, he presented a poster titled “T13 - Supporting Strategies to Address Pulmonary Arteriovenous Malformations in Fontan Patients.”

Markkus’ research focuses on treatments for children who are born with serious heart defects where only one pumping chamber develops properly. In these instances, doctors can perform a series of surgeries to help reroute blood flow to improve oxygen levels in the lungs, bypassing the heart entirely.

But while these treatments exist, they can cause complications and patients can develop other health issues; with no resistance in blood vessels from the heart pumping blood, malformations would develop as a result, leading to less flow traveling to organs.

Markkus says there isn’t a clear way yet for doctors to compare the various treatment’s effectiveness and decide which option is best for a given patient. The goal of his study is to develop a framework that helps clinicians evaluate and choose the most effective strategies for restoring blood flow in patients who require this attention virtually, without having to open up the patient.

Katie Gallagher

Katie is a PhD student in the BME program and also a member of the Neu lab. She gave a talk titled “Tissue-specific granular extracellular matrix biomaterials drive differential responses in human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.”

Much like Faith, Katie’s research involves using gECM biomaterial to repair damaged cartilage. But she is looking to tackle the issue from a different perspective.

Over time, small areas of damaged cartilage can lead to the breakdown of nearby cartilage and bone, eventually causing osteoarthritis. This debilitating disease affects millions of people worldwide and currently has extremely limited treatment options.

In her talk, Katie demonstrated how human derived mesenchymal stromal cells behave within different tissue derived gECM hydrogels. Her findings showed tissue specific responses to the bone and cartilage gECM materials including cellular growth and gene expression.

Katie believes these results will help them move closer towards future treatments for osteoarthritis.

S. Ellyse Schneider

Ellyse is a Research Associate in Dr. Corey Neu’s lab, and holds a master’s degree and a PhD from the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering at 91��ý. At the annual meeting, Ellyse presented a poster titled “Senescent cardiac fibroblasts after cardiomyocyte nuclear mechanics.”

As a person ages, senescent fibroblasts within the heart can build up and may interfere with how the heart functions, but their mechanical impact on the behavior of neighboring cells, especially the contracting cardiomyocyte, is still not well understood.

In this study, Ellyse cultured cardiomyocytes on soft “healthy” and stiff “diseased” substrates to see how they respond when senescent fibroblasts are added. She found that these senescent cells immediately changed the contraction mechanics of the cardiomyocyte especially on the stiffer, disease-like substrates.

When conditioned media from senescent fibroblast cultures was used, smaller effects on the cardiomyocyte contraction mechanics were observed, suggesting that direct contact between cells plays an important role.

Overall, these findings show that senescent cells mechanically disrupt the microenvironment, helping to better delineate the factors that contribute to aging and heart disease.

Juliet Heye

Juliet is a PhD candidate in the BME program and Neu Lab. She presented a poster at the BMES event titled “Characterization of Extrudable Granular ECM (gECM) Biomaterials for Five Distinct Tissue-Specific Applications.”

Juliet’s research aims to develop granular ECM (gECM) biomaterials that recapitulate native tissue for realistic in vitro models and filling tissue defects in vivo. Her work characterizes gECM biomaterials for five tissue applications that cover a large percentage of disease applications—cartilage, bone, skin, liver, and kidney.

In her poster, Juliet characterizes the biophysical and mechanical behavior of these gECM biomaterials. She also demonstrates in a subset of gECM tissues (cartilage and skin) that these materials can support cell viability, proliferation, and tissue-specific gene expression.

Juliet says the work demonstrates that gECM biomaterials are practical, translational, and biomimetic, supporting their use in developing realistic tissue models and implantable fillers for a variety of disease types.

Six students and researchers from the Biomedical Engineering Program (BME) presented their work on joint damage, arthritis, heart problems, and tissue defects at this year’s Biomedical Engineering Society 2025 Annual Meeting in San Diego.

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BME undergraduate student helps uncover new treatment for respiratory syndrome

Alexander James Servantez — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 15:53:40 +0000

BME undergraduate student helps uncover new treatment for respiratory syndrome Alexander Jame… Fri, 09/26/2025 - 09:53

Alexander Servantez

For many undergraduate students, 91��ý’s Summer Program for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) is an opportunity to obtain early hands-on experience in a lab setting.

Aiming to increase undergraduate research engagement and interest, the program pairs nearly 125 engineering students from across the college in research labs with faculty members and graduate mentors. For 10 weeks, students foster unique, hands-on research experiences and develop crucial skills that serve them well beyond their undergraduate journey.

But for Joshua Smith, it was more than just exposure and learning—it was the chance to contribute to a real scientific breakthrough.

Smith, an undergraduate student in the Biomedical Engineering Program (BME), started his SPUR research journey under the supervision of Assistant Professor Wyatt Shields and graduate mentor Bianca Santana in the Shields Lab. Their project, like something straight out of a health sci-fi movie, involved studying a method of drug transport to the lungs using tiny microrobots to treat acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

“Usually, therapies are based on something called ‘passive delivery,’ which means a drug is injected or inhaled and the patient is left to hope everything works okay from there,” said Smith. “In this method of drug delivery, not much of the treatment actually gets where it needs to go. We’re trying to develop a new method of active transport where we can direct where those drugs go after they enter the body.”

The winding road to treatment

ARDS is a life-threatening lung condition characterized by severe lung inflammation and fluid build-up. It often arises as a complication of other illnesses or injuries and has been seen to develop in a significant percentage of COVID-19 patients—nearly 61 to 81% of those requiring intensive care, according to a study in the National Library of Medicine.

BME undergraduate student Joshua Smith working alongside graduate mentor Bianca Santana of the Shields Lab. (Credit: Jesse Morgan Petersen)

Most ARDS treatment options today are ill-equipped to address the underlying cause of the illness. Current therapies merely look to support the patient and improve select symptoms.

That’s why Smith and his lab group began exploring RNA-based gene therapy, a next-generation therapeutic approach that uses molecules from ribonucleic acid to influence genetic expression, modulate biological pathways and treat diseases.

“We are testing circular RNA, which is a different kind of RNA. Its ends are covalently bonded together, meaning it's less susceptible to degrading enzymes and immune responses,” Smith said.

RNAs face difficulties crossing cellular membranes on their own, so the group is exploring another new solution: pairing them with lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). These tiny, spherical vesicles encapsulate the RNA and increase membrane permeability, allowing them to access the cell.

But that’s not the only obstacle. Drug delivery, especially to the lungs, is extremely difficult. The lungs are protected by a viscous mucosal barrier that acts as a physical shield, trapping and blocking potentially infectious inhaled particles and pathogens.

Smith says that’s where the microrobots come in. By attaching the LNPs to the biodegradable, polymeric microbots, he and his team believe they have the power to overcome the tough layer of mucus and safely deliver drugs to the lungs in a much more targeted manner.

“These little bots—we can control them using acoustic, electric and rotating magnetic fields,” said Smith. “If our project is successful, it can lead to much more of the drug reaching its intended destination, thus making the RNA way more effective and efficient.”

Early exposure to discovery

For Smith, a certain allure behind the project captured his curiosity.

“I was looking through SPUR projects one night and I saw the word ‘robot’ in the chemical engineering section. Honestly, it just sounded like it was interdisciplinary and super cool,” Smith said. “When you get to combine two different fields, that’s the best part about science.”

But it wasn’t just a learning experience. Smith said he was able to observe first-hand, and even play a role in a key discovery.

Smith inspecting a piece of lab equipment in the Shields Lab. (Credit: Jesse Morgan Petersen)

“We tested cell viability in circular RNA over the course of a five-day experiment. We were looking to see how much protein the cells produced when exposed to circular RNA as opposed to linear RNA,” said Smith. “We found that circular RNA produced 20 times more protein than linear RNA for a longer period of time. This means the therapies we are working on can be 20 times more effective and last a day longer than other industry standards.”

Smith says these findings have the potential to make a broad impact in the field of gene therapy as a whole, not just ARDS.

“Our project is unique because we’re not just focusing on a specific drug,” Smith said. “We’re focused on drug delivery. Our experiment can easily be applied to other areas, or at least the base concepts of RNA-based gene therapy.”

Going forward, Smith’s experience in the lab has inspired him to potentially pursue medical school after his undergraduate journey. It also illuminated other career fields with ample opportunities to conduct important research.

Regardless of where he ends up, Smith says he’ll bring a strong air of confidence with him.

“There’s definitely expectations and a steep learning curve when it comes to working in a lab,” said Smith. “But throughout the summer, I feel like I grew to be more of a partner, not just a mentee. I was a big contributor to our project and I’m excited to apply what I learned towards my future.”

The project, like something straight out of a health sci-fi movie, combines RNA-based gene therapy with tiny microrobots for drug transport to help treat acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

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Credit: Jesse Morgan Petersen

Scientists develop method to build tine custom microrobots

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 18:00:00 +0000

Scientists develop method to build tine custom microrobots Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 07/07/2025 - 12:00

Researchers in the Shields lab, including a BME undergraduate researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder have created a new way to build and control tiny particles that can move and work like microscopic robots, offering a powerful tool with applications in biomedical and environmental research.

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Biomedical Engineers Celebrate Graduation

Anonymous — Mon, 12 May 2025 17:35:03 +0000

Biomedical Engineers Celebrate Graduation Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 05/12/2025 - 11:35

Thursday, May 8, 2025 was a day of celebration, as students, families, friends, and faculty gathered to honor this momentous occasion. This event marked the culmination of years of hard work and dedication with an eye to a future full of promise. This graduating class is poised to make a meaningful impact in the world of biomedical science - whether in academia, industry or healthcare.

This spring marks the third graduating class from 91��ý’s ever-expanding Biomedical Engineering Program. Just two years ago, the Program celebrated 15 graduates. This year we proudly recognize 96 graduates including:

1PhD
29 Masters
66 Bachelors students

Throughout their time at 91��ý, these students were supported by outstanding faculty whose commitment to excellence in teaching and research laid a strong foundation for academic and professional success. Many students further enriched their education through research, internships, leadership roles in campus organizations, and preparation for medical school.

Several students were honored for their outstanding achievements by the College and the Program:

College Awards

Academic Engagement Award: Creighton Tisdale
Community Impact Award: Fishion Yohannes
Research Award: Cassidy Allen, Julia Keefe, Hayden Tomazin and Shannon Blanco

Program Awards

Academic Engagement Award: Gavin Channel
Community Impact Award: Clare Keeler and Rachel Beem
Outstanding Undergraduate Award: Shristi Jerath
Graduate Community Impact Award: Chadwick Healy
Graduate Research Award: Danielle Dresdner

As these graduates step into the next chapter of their lives, they carry with them a spirit of innovation and a deep sense of purpose. The field of biomedical science is constantly evolving, and our graduates are well-prepared to meet its challenges and seize its opportunities. Whether they pursue careers in research, clinical practice, industry, or further education, their contributions will help shape the future of medicine and healthcare.

Congratulations, Class of 2025! May your careers be filled with success, discovery, and fulfillment. The University of Colorado Boulder is immensely proud of your achievements and looks forward to the remarkable contributions you will make to the world.

To view and download pictures from the Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony, please visit this link.

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BME Senior Design Projects - Engineering Expo 2025

Lisa Romero De Mendoza — Fri, 02 May 2025 19:03:36 +0000

BME Senior Design Projects - Engineering Expo 2025 Lisa Romero De… Fri, 05/02/2025 - 13:03

Team Boulder Sterilization Services - BME Senior Design Award Winner. Members include: Zoie Nuno, Cambria McNulla, Kosy Ogbonna-ukuku, Samuel Zanotti and Ariadnee Ziady.

This year, 14 Biomedical Engineering (BME) Program senior design teams joined the College of Engineering & Applied Science Senior Expo to showcase their projects, a culmination of work that spanned two semesters. Some of the industry sponsors for this year included: Boulder IQ, Medtronic, TissueForm and Cardiost.

The Biomedical Engineering Program’s senior design course gives students the opportunity to apply the engineering knowledge they have gained at 91��ý to a real-world, open-ended design challenge. Industry sponsors propose a project that emulates the sort of challenges and problems students will encounter in an entry-level engineering position. Each project is then matched with a student team.

During the year-long experience, each student assumes a leadership role and contributes to the technical aspects of the project. Teams meet with their industry sponsor to ensure appropriate progress is made on the project and present their proof-of-concept prototype in the spring.

All of the teams did a terrific job with their projects and presentations highlighting their knowledge and skills! Congratulations to all of them!

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Students shine at the 2nd Annual BME Bioinstrumentation Expo

Lisa Romero De Mendoza — Thu, 01 May 2025 16:00:00 +0000

Students shine at the 2nd Annual BME Bioinstrumentation Expo Lisa Romero De… Thu, 05/01/2025 - 10:00

Each spring, students in the BME Bioinstrumentation course work on a team to create a device with applications used in clinical medicine and/or biomedical research. BME students are tasked with developing the project idea based on research and clinical needs. This course lets students use their creativity while applying knowledge gained in class and previous coursework. Team projects must utilize systems for measuring biological signals that can include biopotentials (electrical signals generated in the body), strain, pressure, and temperature that are used to interpret data from living systems. Students also participate in ethical discussions and regulatory issues surrounding medical devices.

This year, we had 14 team projects that included a Smart Bandage that would help remind the user to change their bandage if it met certain conditions to prevent infection to the EverWomb, swaddling that emulates the womb environment of temperature and mother’s heartbeat for newborn babies.

One project, ExoStride, received top honors from judges. This assistive device allows users to use a modified knee brace for increased mobility. The idea came to the team as they reflected on those in their lives who live with chronic knee pain and injury with the goal of providing independence. Congratulations to team members Mallory Phillips, Kevin Leidig, Sudhiksha Sivakumar and Madison Seckman on their Outstanding Project Award.

BME alums - Caitlin Mascio, Viri Varela and Kayla Pacheco

While BME is still a relatively new Program, we were excited to welcome back three program alumni who helped judge this year’s Bioinstrumentation projects. Alumni from the first BME graduating cohort of 14 from Spring 2023 returned to campus to engage with current students. These alums could draw from their work experience in reviewing these projects while at the same time setting students at ease given, they were recently in their same shoes. Alumni included Kayla Pacheco, Viri Varela and Caitlin Mascio who had a chance to have a mini reunion while attending the expo. This was truly a full-circle moment for the BME Program.

Students in BME's Bioinstrumentation course shared their team projects at the 2nd Annual Bioinstrumentation Expo. This semester-long course helps students to design a device with clinical applications. It allows students to use their creativity and the skills gained throughout the course. For the judging, this year, we were joined by program alumni from the first BME graduating class. All of the students are to be congratulated!

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